Vessel treatment machine

ABSTRACT

A vessel handling machine comprises a machine frame on which is arranged a drivable conveyor start with the star crown (3) consisting of several superimposed external star rings and a concentric internal flange plate (10) located at the level of the lowest star ring. The star crown can be secured to the internal flange plate (10) by an inwardly facing edge (14) and a flange plate is connected to a drive shaft (12). To permit easier and faster replacement of the star crown, the flange plate is rigidly connected to the drive shaft and rapid locking latches (15) which hold the inner edge of the star crown are mounted on the outer edge of the flange plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention refers to a vessel treatment machine comprising amachine frame and a transport star, which is arranged on said machineframe such that it is adapted to be driven and which includes astar-shaped collar consisting of several outer star-shaped rings, whichare arranged one on top of the other, and an inner flange plate, whichis concentric with said star-shaped collar and which is located on thelevel of the lower star-shaped ring, the star-shaped collar beingadapted to be secured to said flange plate via an inwardly directed rimand said flange plate being connected to a drive shaft.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Vessel treatment machines provided with transport stars are used e.g. inbottle filling systems. The transport stars have the function oftransporting the bottles, which arrive in a single file, to specifictreatment stations. For this purpose, the outer circumference of saidtransport stars is provided with socalled star pockets, which areadapted to the respective bottle diameters. Hence, the transport starshave to be exchanged if other sizes or shapes of bottles are to betreated by the vessel treatment machine. This exchange of the vesseltransport stars has been rather complicated up to now. Conventionaltransport stars are provided with two star-shaped plates spaced fromeach other by means of a spacer ring. Fastening of the transport star tothe drive shaft and the flange plate, respectively, is effected by meansof a central screw which is inserted into the transport star from aboveand tightened on the flange plate. In particular in the case oftransport stars of some height, this type of fastening is rathercomplicated, since it is not easy to find the tapped hole provided inthe flange plate. Moreover, these transport stars, which are constructedas solid components, are comparatively heavy and this makes an exchangeof said stars more difficult.

In order to reduce the weight of said transport stars, attempts havealready been made to produce them from rigid expanded plastics. Althoughthe weight can thus be reduced, the fastening of the transport star isstill as complicated as before.

Furthermore, German-Offenlegungsschrift No. 34 18 737 discloses atransport star, which is pushed onto a cylindrical column and which ispressed downwards onto a support ring, said pressure being applied fromabove by means of an annular rotational body. For the purpose ofexchanging the transport star, it is first of all necessary to removethe rotational body and then the transport star has to be taken offalong the column. This method, too, is complicated.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,176,557 discloses a transport star consisting of astar-shaped plate which is positioned on a flange plate. The flangeplate is provided with three upwardly directed pins engaging holes ofthe star-shaped plate. If the direction of transport of the transportstar is to be reversed, the star-shaped plate can be removed upwards andreattached to the pins after having been rotated by 180°. A possibilityof fastening the star-shaped plate to the flange plate is not provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,998 shows a transport star which is screwed on aflange of a hollow shaft. For the purpose of removing the transportstar, it is first of all necessary to screw said transport star off saidflange. The drive shaft must then be disassembled so that the transportstar can be removed from the machine. In this case, too, the removal ofthe transport star is very complicated.

GB-pat. No. 660 700 discloses a vessel treatment machine of the typementioned at the beginning in the case of which a flange plate is pushedonto a drive shaft and secured by means of a central screw. The outerrim of the flange plate has secured thereto the inner rim of a transportstar via several screws. Fastening of the transport star together withthe flange plate is effected through a central screw, which is screwedinto the drive shaft and which, via a cover, presses from above onto theupper outer star-shaped ring of the transport star. Also this transportstar entails the problem that, for exchanging the transport star, it isnecessary to screw the central screw from above--while the view isobstructed by the cover--into the hole of the drive shaft. In additionto the fact that several time-consuming screwing operations arerequired, it is not easy to hit the tapped hole in the drive shaft withthe screw.

Finally, German Utility Model 19 23 260 discloses a transport star whichis screwed onto the drive shaft via a plate arranged in the area of theupper star-shaped ring. It is true that in the case of this transportstar the fastening by means of screws is already less difficult than inthe case of the preceding transport stars described, but it is moredifficult to attach the transport star to the shaft, since the driveshaft has to be passed through an opening in the plate, the view being,however, obstructed by the transport star itself. Hence, in this case,too, the exchange of the transport star is comparatively time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is therefore based on the task of improving avessel treatment machine of the type mentioned at the beginning in sucha way that the exchange of the star-shaped collar can be carried outeasier and faster.

In accordance with the present invention, this task is solved by thefeatures that the flange plate is fixedly connected to the drive shaftand that the outer rim of the flange plate has attached theretoquick-locking bars which hold the inner rim of the star-shaped collar.

This provides the advantage that the star-shaped collar can be placed onthe flange plate from above, without the view being obstructed by acover or the like. For the purpose of fastening the star-shaped collar,it will be sufficient to actuate the quick-locking bars. In addition toeasier fastening, the advantage is provided that the star-shaped collarcan be constructed such that it weighs less, since it only consists ofthe star-shaped rings, which are arranged one on top of the other, andsince an upper fastening plate can be dispensed with.

It is possible to form the inwardly directed rim of the star-shapedcollar on the lower star-shaped ring in an advantageous manner. In casesin which the star-shaped rings are secured to a tubular hub, theinwardly directed rim of the star-shaped collar can also be formed onthe hub itself.

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the quick-locking barsare constructed as eccentric bars, which extend through the inner rim ofthe lower star-shaped ring and through the outer rim of the flange plateand in the case of which a bolt engages, from below, behind one of thetwo rims and an eccentric cam presses, from above, on the other of thetwo rims, said eccentric cam being pivotably supported on the bolt. Thishas the effect that the star-shaped collar is clampingly fastened to theouter rim of the flange plate via the inwardly directed rim of its lowerstar-shaped ring. As is normally the case with eccentric bars, thenecessary actuating paths are--other than in the case of screwconnections--only very short.

Positioning of the star-shaped collar on the flange plate is facilitatedin an advantageous manner on the basis of the feature that acircumferentially extending centering recess is formed in the inner rimof the star-shaped collar on the underside thereof, the outer rim of theflange plate engaging said centering recess.

Simple torque transmission from the flange plate to the star-shapedcollar is achieved when the outer rim of the flange plate is providedwith radial driving recesses which are engaged by radially inwardsdirected driving lugs of the star-shaped collar.

The orientation of the star-shaped collar in the direction of rotationof the transport star can be determined clearly when one of the drivinglugs and an associated driving recess are larger or smaller than theremaining driving lugs and driving recesses. Fastening of thestar-shaped collar to the flange plate is then only possible in onespecific rotational position.

It will be advantageous when the star-shaped rings consist of aviscoelastic plastic material. A material which may, for example, beused in this connection is a rigid expanded polyurethane, which showsalso sufficient strength in addition to its elastic properties. Thestar-shaped rings and, consequently, also the star-shaped collar willweigh less so that the star-shaped collars can be exchanged even moreeasily.

It will be advantageous when each of the star-shaped rings has embeddedtherein a metallic reinforcing ring.

In accordance with a specially preferred embodiment, the quick-lockingbars are constructed as pivotable bars whose outer ends are locatedradially within the outer rim of the flange plate in the openingposition and extend over the inner rim of the star-shaped collar in theclosing position. Hence, it can be achieved--by means of simple pivotingof these pivotable bars--that the star-shaped collar can no longer beremoved from the flange plate in the closing position. Positive lockingof the star-shaped collar on the flange plate is thus achieved inconnection with the driving lugs and recesses.

When the pivotable bars are constructed such that, in an intermediateposition, the outer ends of said bars press radially against the lower,elastic-yielding star-shaped ring, a sort of toggle catch is obtained,the pivotable bars being secured against unintentional pivoting in bothend positions, i.e. in the opening position as well as in the closingposition.

A particularly simple and, primarily, simultaneous operation of theindividual pivotable bars will be obtained when the individual pivotablebars have their inner ends pivotably articulated on a rotatable discafter the fashion of a crank mechanism, said disc being rotatablysupported on the flange plate such that it is concentric therewith, andwhen said individual pivotable bars are supported in slide guide meansbetween their respective inner ends and outer ends. A rotationaldisplacement of the rotatable disc by a specific angle causes pivotingand, consequently, the radial displacement of the individual pivotablebars. In view of the fact that all pivotable bars are articulated on onecommon rotatable disc, the star-shaped collar can be locked on theflange plate by one single manipulation.

For determining the angle of rotational displacement, it will beadvantageous when the flange plate has provided thereon at least onestop means limiting the angle of rotational displacement of therotatable disc, said stop means being arranged at the side of therotatable disc when seen in the radial direction.

A particularly preferred embodiment is an embodiment according to whichthe stop means are constructed as at least two oppositely disposed capscrews, which are screwed into the flange plate and which extend overthe rotatable disc from above. These cap screws produce the effect thatthe rotatable disc is held on the flange plate and, simultaneously, theyfulfil the function of stop means, since the pivotable bars contact saidcap screws close to their inner ends, said contact being established bythe front edge in the closing position and by the rear edge in theopening position.

The slide guide means for the pivotable bars can be constructed in aparticularly simple manner as an elongate hole, which extends in thelongitudinal direction, a guide pin, which is inserted in the flangeplate, extending through said elongate hole. Such a slide guide meanspermits longitudinal guiding as well as a pivotal movement of thepivotable bar.

When a handle is attached to the upper side of the rotatable disc suchthat it is secured against rotation relative thereto, it will beparticularly simple to move the pivotable bars from the opening positionto the closing position.

Although two quick-locking bars would be sufficient, four quick-lockingbars are preferably arranged such that they are uniformly distributed inthe circumferential direction of the flange plate.

In order to avoid that possibly existing broken pieces of glass must beremoved upon exchanging the star-shaped collars, the flange plate hasformed therein openings through which broken pieces of glass can fall.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each of said openings extendsapproximately between two neighbouring pivotable bars and from the outerrim of the flange plate up to the rotatable disc.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention willbe explained in detail on the basis of a drawing, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, at an oblique angle, a top view of a first embodiment of atransport star of a vessel treatment machine according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the transport star of FIG. 1 alongthe line II--II,

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a flange plate with quick-locking bars of thetransport star of FIG. 1 in the opening position,

FIG. 4 shows the flange plate of FIG. 3 with the quick-locking bars inan intermediate position,

FIG. 5 shows the flange plate of FIG. 3 with the quick-locking bars inthe closing position,

FIG. 6 shows in a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 the marginalportion between the flange plate and the star-shaped collar with asecond variant of a quick-locking bar, and

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the quick-locking bar according to FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a detail of a vessel treatment machine 1 comprising amachine frame, which is not shown, and a transport star 2, which isarranged on said machine frame such that it is adapted to be driven andwhich is used for separately transporting bottles or similar vessels. Inthe case of the embodiment shown in this figure, the transport star 2 isprovided with a star-shaped collar 3 consisting or two star-shaped rings5 and 6, which are arranged one above the other and spaced apart by aspacer ring 4. The star-shaped rings 5 and 6 are provided with starpockets 7 on the outer circumference thereof, said star pockets beingadapted to the outer circumference of the bottles or cans to betransported. The two star-shaped rings 5 and 6 consist of a viscoelasticplastic material, such as a rigid expanded polyurethane. Each of thestar-shaped rings 5 and 6 has embedded therein a metallic reinforcingring 8. By means of locking screws 9, which extend also through thespacer ring 4, the two star-shaped rings 5 and 6 are screwed together soas to form the star-shaped collar 3.

On the level of the lower star-shaped ring 6, the transport star 2 isprovided with an inner flange plate 10, which is arranged concentricallywith the star-shaped collar 3 and which is fixedly connected with thedrive shaft 12 of the transport star 2 via a flange 11.

As is shown particularly well by FIG. 2, the flange plate 10 is providedwith an outwardly stepped outer rim 13 on which the star-shaped collar 3rests via a radially inwards directed rim 14 of the lower star-shapedring 6. The dimensions of the outer rim 13 and of the inner rim 14 areselected such that both rims cause centering of the star-shaped collar 3on the flange plate 10.

The star-shaped collar 3 is fastened by means of quick-locking bars 15arranged on the outer rim 13 of the flange plate 10 and holding, intheir closed position, the inner rim 14 of the lower star-shaped ring 5of the star-shaped collar 3. The precise structural design of thequick-locking bars 15 will still be explained in detail hereinbelow.

As is particularly easily evident from FIGS. 3 to 5, the flange 11 isprovided with elongate holes 16, which are oriented circumferentiallyand through which the fastening screws for the flange plate 10 extend.On the basis of this arrangement, it is possible to rotationallydisplace the flange plate 10 relative to the flange 11 so as todetermine a specific angular position.

The flange plate 10 has on its outer rim 13 radial driving recesses 17and 18, which are engaged by radially inwards directed driving lugs 19and 20 of the inner rim 14 of the lower star-shaped ring 6. Thesedriving lugs and recesses are primarily used for the purpose of torquetransmission between the flange plate 10 and the star-shaped collar 3.Since, however, the driving recess 18 and the associated driving lug 20are larger than the remaining driving recesses 17 and driving lugs 19,this type of torque transmission determines at the same time a specificangular relation between the star-shaped collar 3 and the flange plate10.

In the case of the embodiment shown in these figures, centering betweenthe lower star-shaped ring 5 and the flange plate is effected by arecess 21, which has the shape of an annular groove and which isprovided on the underside of the inner rim 14 of the lower star-shapedring 6.

As is shown particularly well in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the flange plateis provided with openings 22 for the disposal of broken pieces. Thismeans that any broken pieces which may perhaps reach the interior of thestar-shaped collar 3 can leave said star-shaped collar downwards throughthe openings 22 without impairing the work sequence of the vesseltreatment machine.

In the following, the quick-locking bars 15 of the first embodiment willbe explained in detail.

The quick-locking bars 15 of the embodiment shown in the presentconnection are pivotable bars whose outer ends 23 are located radiallywithin the outer rim 13 of the flange plate 10 in the opening positionshown in FIG. 3 and extend, from above, over the inner rim 14 of thelower star-shaped ring 6 in the closing position shown in FIGS. 5 and 1.A total number of four such pivotable bars 15 is provided, saidpivotable bars extending essentially radially from the centre of theflange plate 10 to the outer edge thereof.

The inner ends 24 of the individual pivotable bars 15 are pivotablyarticulated after the fashion of a crank mechanism on pivot studs 30 ofa rotatable disc 25, which is rotatably supported on the flange plate 10such that it is concentric therewith. Between their outer ends 23 andtheir inner ends 24 the pivotable bars 15 are supported in a slide guidemeans. This slide guide means consists of an elongate hole 26, whichextends in the longitudinal direction of the pivotable bars 15, and of aguide pin 27, which extends through said elongate hole 26 and which isinserted in the flange plate 10.

Cap screws 28 are screwed into the flange plate 10 directly adjacent therotatable disc 25, when seen in the radial direction. On the one hand,these cap screws hold the rotatable disc 25 on the flange plate 10 andprevent unintentional removal of the same, and, on the other hand, saidhead screws 28 act as stop means for the pivotable bars 15 in theiropening position (cf. FIG. 3) and their closing position (cf. FIG. 5).As far as the stop means function is concerned, one cap screw 28 wouldbe sufficient, since, in the opening position, it comes into contactwith the front edge and, in the closing position, it comes into contactwith the rear edge of a neighbouring pivotable bar 15.

The cap screws 28 are arranged in such a way that in the openingposition (cf. FIG. 3) as well as in the closing position (cf. FIG. 5)the pivotable bars 15 are not directed precisely radially outwards, butsaid pivotable bars migrate through the radial direction on their wayfrom the opening position to the closing position. This intermediateposition is shown in FIG. 4. In this intermediate position, the outerends 23 of the pivotable bars 15 are radially most distant from thecentre of the flange plate 10. The outer ends 23 urge--in thisintermediate position--the lower star-shaped ring 6, which consists of aviscoelastic plastic material, slightly outwards in the radial directionso that a dead centre has to be overcome in the intermediate position.In this way, a sort of bistable toggel catch is obtained by means of thepivotable bars, said pivotable bars 15 being unable to loosen themselvesautomatically from their closing position (cf. FIG. 5).

In order to facilitate the operation of the pivotable bars 15, a handle29 is attached to the rotatable disc such that it is secured againstrotation relative thereto.

In the following, the function and the mode of operation of the firstembodiment will be explained in detail.

When the star-shaped collar 3 is to be replaced by another star-shapedcollar, since larger vessels, for example, are to be treated on thevessel treatment machine, the star-shaped collar 3 is first unlocked.Taking as a basis the closing position shown in FIG. 5, the handle 29 istherefore rotated clockwise. In the course of this operation, thepivotable bars 15 pass the intermediate position (cf. FIG. 4) and pressagainst the lower star-shaped ring 6, and, consequently, a certainresistance will be noticed when the handle 29 is being rotated. Whenthis resistance has been overcome, the rotatable disc 25 can be rotatedcomparatively easily until the pivotable bars 15 knock against the capscrews 28. The pivotable bars are now located in the opening position(cf. FIG. 3). In this position, the star-shaped collar 3 can be takenoff upwards and removed.

For the purpose of installing a new star-shaped collar 3, saidstar-shaped collar is first placed on the flange plate 10 from above insuch a way that the driving lugs 19 and 20 and the respective drivingrecesses 17 and 18 in the flange plate 10 coincide with one another. Dueto slight back-and-forth pushing, the outer rim 13 of the flange plate10 will slip into the recess 21, which has the shape of an annulargroove and which is provided on the underside of the lower star-shapedring 6. The locking of the star-shaped collar 3 is effected in reverseorder, in comparison with the unlocking operation, i.e. the handle 29 isnow rotated anti-clockwise until--after having overcome the dead centrein the intermediate position (cf. FIG. 4)--the pivotable bars abut onthe other side of the cap screws 28 and are located in the closingposition. The outer ends 23 now extend from above over the inner rim 14of the lower star-shaped ring 6. Due to the different sizes of thedriving lugs 19 and 20, the star-shaped collar is, in this position,clearly fixed in the direction of rotation of the transport star 2. Theactual fastening against removal is effected by means of the pivotablebars 15.

In view of the fact that, in the case of the embodiment shown in thesefigures, the upper side of the inwardly directed rim of the lowerstar-shaped ring 6 extends circumferentially, it is also possible thatpockets are respectively formed only in the area of the outer ends 23 ofthe pivotable bars 15; these pockets can then be engaged by the outerends 23 of the pivotable bars 15.

When the rotational angle position of the star-shaped collar is to becorrected, this can be done easily by rotating the flange plate 10relative to the flange 11 with the aid of the elongate holes 16 in saidflange 11.

In the following, an additional embodiment of the invention will beexplained in detail on the basis of FIG. 6 and 7.

The fundamental construction of the transport star 2, only part of whichis shown in FIG. 6 and 7, corresponds to that of the embodimentdescribed hereinbefore. Hence, identical reference numerals will be usedfor identical and similar structural components. In the following, onlythe differences and the particularities of the second embodiment will beexplained.

The quick-locking bars 15 are attached to the inwardly directed rim 14of the star-shaped collar 3. Said quick-locking bars are eccentriclocking means 31 provided with a clamping bolt 32, which is rotatablyand displaceably guided in said rim 14 and at the upper end of which arocking lever 33 is pivotably supported.

The clamping bolt 32 extends through a hole 34 in the flange plate 10and its lower end is provided with a stop pin 35 extending transverselyto the longitudinal axis of said clamping bolt. The flange plate 10 hasformed therein slots 36, which are located adjacent the hole 34 andthrough which the stop pin 35 together with the clamping bolt 32 can bepassed through the flange plate 10 from above. For this purpose, theclamping bolt 32 will have to be rotatably displaced by 90° relative tothe representation shown in FIG. 6.

The underside of the rocking lever 33 is provided with an eccentric cam37, which presses from above onto the upper side of the inwardlydirected rim 14 of the star-shaped collar 3 when the rocking lever islocated in the clamping position shown in

FIG. 6. In this position, the stop pin 35 extends transversely to theslots 36 and rests on the underside of the flange plate 10. From FIG. 6it is easily evident that the star-shaped collar 3 is provided with atubular hub 4 and that the inner rim 14 is formed on said hub 4.

In FIG. 7 a top view of the eccentric locking means 31 is shown. Theposition of the stop pin 35 transversely to the slots 36 can be seenwell in this top view.

Furthermore, this top view shows well that the inwardly directed rim 14of the star-shaped collar 3 need not be formed such that it extendscircumferentially. On the contrary, it will be sufficient whenrespective marginal segments whose shape resembles that of a piece of around cake are formed, the eccentric locking means 31 being inserted insaid marginal segments.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the clamping bolt 32 is guided inthe inwardly directed rim 14 by means of a guide bushing 38, which canbe formed as a cast-in component e.g. during the production of theinwardly directed rim 14 of the star-shaped collar 3. Said guide bushing38 also prevents the eccentric locking means 31 from being removedcompletely. The distance between the lower edge of the guide bushing 38and the lower edge of the inner rim 14 corresponds at least to thediameter of the stop pin 35.

In the following, the function and the mode of operation of thetransport star 2 according to the second embodiment will be explained indetail.

Taking as a basis the fastening position of the star-shaped collar 3,which is shown in FIG. 6 and 7, the exchange of the star-shaped collar 3is described. For this purpose, the rocking levers 33 of the eccentriclocking means 31--a total number of four such eccentric locking meansbeing preferably arranged on the circumference of the star-shaped collar3--are first pivoted upwards so that the eccentric cam 37 is detachedfrom the upper side of the inwardly directed rim 14. The clamping bolt32 is now located, with a certain amount of play, between the flangeplate 10 and the inwardly directed rim 14 of the star-shaped collar 3.This certain amount of play permits the clamping bolt to be rotated by90° relative to the position shown in FIG. 7. The slots 36 are then inalignment with the stop pin 35. It follows that, when the clamping bolts32 are lifted, the stop pin 35 could pass through the slots. When alleccentric locking means 31 are located in this position, the star-shapedcollar 3 can be removed.

The new star-shaped collar 3 provided for the purpose of exchange isattached from above and is moved slightly back and forth so that theouter rim of the flange plate 10 will enter the recess 21, which has theshape of an annular groove and which is provided on the underside of theinwardly directed rim 14 of the star-shaped collar 3. In this position,the star-shaped rim 3 is already centred. The underside of the inwardlydirected rim 14 already rests on the upper side of the flange plate 10,since between the lower edge of the guide bushing 38 and the upper edgeof the flange plate 10 there is enough space for accommodating the lowerend of the clamping bolt 32 with its stop pin 35. Due to a slightrotational displacement of the star-shaped collar 3 relative to theflange plate 10, the clamping bolts are brought into alignment with theassociated holes 34 so that the clamping bolts 32 engage said holes withtheir lower ends. The eccentric locking means 31 are now presseddownwards or they drop simply due to their gravitational force until theassociated stop pins 35 have passed through the slots 36. The rockinglever 33 of an eccentric locking means 31 is directed upwards at anoblique angle in this position. The eccentric locking means 31 are nowrotated such that the rocking levers are directed essentially radiallyinwards. This has the effect that the associated stop pin 35 ispositioned transversely to the slots 36. Subsequently, the rockinglevers of the respective eccentric locking means 31 are presseddownwards so that the eccentric cam 37 will rest on the upper side ofthe inwardly directed rim 14 of the star-shaped collar 3 and so that theeccentric locking means 31 will clampingly fasten the inwardly directedrim 14 and the flange plate 10 relative to one another. The newstar-shaped collar 3 is fixed.

A noteworthy fact in the case of both embodiments is that a simpleexchange of the star-shaped collars is possible even in cases in whichthe star-shaped collar has a certain height. The star-shaped collar 3 isconnected to the flange plate by means of a very small number ofmanipulations.

In order to enhance the outward appearance, it is also possible toplace, from above, a cover loosely onto the star-shaped collar 3.

Although the advantages of the present invention will primarily benoticeable in the case of star-shaped collars having a certain height,the fastening mode according to the present invention can also beapplied in the case of transport stars having a star-shaped collar whichcomprises only one star-shaped ring.

I claim:
 1. A vessel treatment machine comprising a machine frame and atransport star, which is arranged on said machine frame such that it isadapted to be driven and which includes a star-shaped collar consistingof several outer star-shaped rings, which are arranged one on top of theother, and an inner flange plate, which is concentric with saidstar-shaped collar and which is located on the level of the lowerstar-shaped ring, the star-shaped collar being adapted to be secured tosaid flange plate via an inwardly directed rim and said flange platebeing connected to a drive shaft, characterized in that the flange plate(10) is fixedly connected to the drive shaft (12) and that the outer rim(13) of the flange plate (10) has attached thereto quick-locking bars(15) which hold the inner rim (14) of the star-shaped collar (3).
 2. Avessel treatment machine according to claim 1, characterized in that theinwardly directed rim (14) of the star-shaped collar (3) is formed onthe lower star-shaped ring (6).
 3. A vessel treatment machine accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the star-shaped rings (5, 6) aresecured to a tubular hub (4) and that the inner rim (14) of thestar-shaped collar (3) is formed on the hub (4).
 4. A vessel treatmentmachine according to claim 1, characterized in that the quick-lockingbars (15) are constructed as eccentric bars (31), which extend throughthe inner rim (14) of the star-shaped collar (3) and through the outerrim (13) of the flange plate (10) and in the case of which a bolt (32)engages, from below, behind one (13) of the two rims and an eccentriccam (37) presses, from above, on the other (14) of the two rims, saideccentric cam (37) being pivotably supported on said bolt (32).
 5. Avessel treatment machine according to claim 1, characterized in that acircumferentially extending centering recess (21) is formed in the innerrim (14) of the star-shaped collar (3) on the underside thereof, theouter rim (13) of the flange plate (10) engaging said centering recess.6. A vessel treatment machine according to claim 1, characterized inthat the outer rim (13) of the flange plate (10) is provided with radialdriving recesses (17, 18) which are engaged by radially inwards directeddriving lugs (19, 20) of the star-shaped collar (3).
 7. A vesseltreatment machine according to claim 1, characterized in that one of thedriving lugs (20) and an associated driving recess (18) are larger orsmaller than the remaining driving lugs (19) and driving recesses (17).8. A vessel treatment machine according to claim 1, characterized inthat the star-shaped rings (5, 6) consist of a viscoelastic plasticmaterial.
 9. A vessel treatment machine according to claim 1,characterized in that each of the star-shaped rings (5, 6) has embeddedtherein a metallic reinforcing ring (8).
 10. A vessel treatment machineaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the quick-locking bars (15)are constructed as pivotable bars whose outer ends (23) are locatedradially within the outer rim (13) of the flange plate (10) in theopening position and extend over the inner rim (14) of the star-shapedcollar (3) in the closing position.
 11. A vessel treatment machineaccording to claim 1, characterized in that, in an intermediateposition, the outer ends (23) of the pivotable bars (15) press radiallyagainst the lower, elastic-yielding star-shaped ring (6).
 12. A vesseltreatment machine according to claim 1, characterized in that theindividual pivotable bars (15) have their inner ends (24) pivotablyarticulated on a rotatable disc (25) after the fashion of a crankmechanism, said disc (25) being rotatably supported on the flange plate(10) such that it is concentric therewith, and said individual pivotablebars (15) being supported in slide guide means (26, 27) between theirrespective inner ends (24) and outer ends (23).
 13. A vessel treatmentmachine according to claim 1, characterized in that the flange plate(10) has provided thereon at least one stop means (28) limiting theangle of rotational displacement of the rotatable disc (25), said stopmeans (28) being arranged at the side of the rotatable disc (25) whenseen in the radial direction.
 14. A vessel treatment machine accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the stop means (28) are constructed asat least two oppositely disposed cap screws, which are screwed into theflange plate and which extend over the rotatable disc (25) from above.15. A vessel treatment machine according to claim 1, characterized inthat an elongate hole (26), which extends in the longitudinal directionof the pivotable bars, is provided as a slide guide means for saidpivotable bars, a guide pin (27), which is inserted in the flange plate(10), extending through said elongate hole (26).
 16. A vessel treatmentmachine according to claim 1, characterized in that a handle (29) isattached to the upper side of the rotatable disc (25) such that it issecured against rotation relative thereto.
 17. A vessel treatmentmachine according to claim 1, characterized in that four quick-lockingbars (15) are arranged such that they are uniformly distributed in thecircumferential direction of the flange plate (10).
 18. A vesseltreatment machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the flangeplate (10) has formed therein openings (22) through which broken piecesof glass can fall.
 19. A vessel treatment machine according to claim 1,characterized in that each of said openings (22) extends approximatelybetween two neighbouring pivotable bars (15) and from the outer rim (13)of the flange plate up to the rotatable disc (25).